Background
The calculation of yearly gas energy costs for residents has never been straightforward and residents have raised many questions over the years. However no concise explanation has ever been available to explain the way gas energy was used in the building and how it was charged to flat owners and the SYT.
In the absence of this crucial information, Trinity used a method which was to divide up the total gas bill for the building solely on the basis of the meter readings for the central heating usageof each flat only. This method excluded each flat’s use of hot water, as well as their share of the portion used for communal heating and gas standing charges. This led to a situation where the gas energy costs were unfairly distributed over the flat owners and the Scottish Youth Theatre (SYT).
The OSC Committee realised that an equitable and transparent model for gas energy billing was required. One of our residents has since been working in consultation with the Committee, Trinity and relevant energy services and a cost calculation model giving a fairer cost distribution over the flats and SYT has been developed.
Explanation of current cost calculation model (see also diagram below)
The monthly gas energy bill for the OSC provides the total amount of kWh of gas used and the cost for this. This bill also includes costs for a standing charge.
To apportion this bill accurately, meter readings for central heating for both the flats and the SYT are recorded electronically on a monthly basis (in kWh). From 2018-2019 onwards, hot water meter recording has resumed. Meter readings for hot water for the SYT (kWh) are recorded monthly by an electronic meter, and are manually read for hot water usage for the flats (in m3 then converted into kWh). Over time the plan is to replace the old hot water meters for flats with electronic versions to automate the process of recording these readings.
The number of kWh used for communal heating is calculated by adding together the kWh used for central heating and the kWh used for hot water for both the SYT and the flats and subtracting this from the total number of kWh used by the OSC as noted in the total gas bill. The cost for this communal portion is then divided equally between the flats.
The standing charges are split into a portion for all residents and a portion for the Scottish Youth Centre based on floor space as specified in the deeds. The Residents’ portion is then equally divided over the 62 residents Currently, energy costs for flat owners (as are all other costs for the OSC) are estimated and can be found in the half-yearly invoices sent out by Trinity. At the end of each financial year, real costs for energy usage are then calculated using the model presented here, and owners’ accounts are either debited or credited accordingly.
Interim bills
It is now possible to prepare accurate energy bills for flats in real time over a specific period (e.g. for tenants) should this be required. However, a request for this has to be made though Trinity and may incur a charge.
In the diagram below, the most left column in the Gas Bill breakdown represents the yearly cost as charged by the gas supplier. This is broken up into Central Heating, Hot Water and Communal portion on the right. In addition a standing charge is added by the gas suppler.
Energy used to heat the communal space in the building is charged equally over all residential flat owners. The Scottish Youth Theatre does not use these areas and is not charged for this portion of energy. The communal energy used cannot be metered separately. This energy portion is therefore determined by adding the total amount of energy used for the central heating and the total amount energy used for hot water for both the flats and the SYT, and subtracting this from the total energy used as noted in the gas billing statements. This is illustrated by the right column in the Gas Bill breakdown figure.
Updated 28-Oct-2019